No Grain, Big Pain (Food)
From India to the Philippines, the price of Asia's most vital food is skyrocketing, setting off worries of widespread shortages. What's causing Asia's rice crisis, and will it get worse?


The Story of Barack Obama's Mother (Campaign '08)
Barack Obama's greatest influence was a woman most know nothing about. How her uncommon life shaped his world view


No Mr. Sunshine
Lee Myung Bak, South Korea's new President, has broken with his country's past by playing hardball with North Korea. Pyongyang is apoplectic — and the U.S. is pleased


Verbatim

Comic Relief (Graphic Novels)
French-Khmer graphic novelist Séra is inspiring a renaissance of comic-book culture in Cambodia


Crowded House (Curtain Raiser)
It's almost time for Tokyo's most boisterous celebration

Socialist Movements (Diversions)
Mid-20th century Chinese watches are becoming collectors' items

In Search of Value (Check In)
Bhutan's exclusivity as a travel destination now has a coterie of high-end hotels to match

A Perfect Day in Bandung (TIME Traveler)
Best-selling author Dewi Lestari and her pop-star husband Marcell Siahaan plan your day out in Java's café capital


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